A Facebook Visit

So I'm still struggling to figure out how to utilize Facebook as a platform on which we can communicate. I enjoy spending time on Facebook as an individual, seeing what others are posting and sharing the patterns and posts that I think my friends will like. But on the ManyCreativeGifts page (www.facebook.com/ManyCreativeGifts), I usually try to remember to update when I've done a new blog post or received word about my beloved Petunia but haven't really figured out how to make that page a place worth visiting!  So I'm asking you to help me :-). Please visit my Facebook page and respond to my post requesting comments on what YOU want to see on the page. All commenters will receive a special thank you, which should be ready in the next day or two. THANK YOU!!

NatCroMo 2015 and Tiny Square 1

Happy National Crochet Month (NatCroMo)!  It's my pleasure and honor to be a part of Crochetville's Designer Blog Tour in celebration of this wonderful time of year. 

First things first, I want to be sure you check out Halos for Hope and try to help in any way you can.  Many Creative Gifts encourages growth as a crocheter as part of our mission, and I can't think of a better way to do that than to make a crochet hat for this amazing organization.  Halos of Hope is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization committed to providing volunteer-crafted hats to cancer centers across the country. The founder of Halos of Hope, Pam Haschke, herself is a survivor of inflammatory breast cancer. As a result of her experiences, she has a passion for helping make sure cancer patients around the country have access to free handmade stylish hats to keep their heads warm while they undergo cancer treatment.  Please try to make at least one hat and/or make a financial donation directly to Halos on their website.  A 100% of donations received from the general public are used only for the costs of shipping hats across the country. All administrative and other costs are covered by private corporate donations.

Mail hats to:
Crochetville LLC
103 Scarlet Oak Circle
Harvest, AL 35749

Now for my contribution to NatCroMo 2015 -- some tiny squares :-).  The Granny Square and motifs trend seems to still be going strong, and awhile back, I came across the French crochet designer/artist Sophie Digard, who uses luxury yarns and intricate small motifs to create her masterpieces.  She's truly talented, but, upon seeing her prices, a little voice inside me said "Oh, Phyllis, you can do this too, they're just a bunch of little squares!"  Well, as proud as I am of these 1-inch squares that I've designed and hope to create something wonderful out of (I've got "only" about 100 of them so far), I now totally appreciate the price point Mlle. Digard is charging and her stamina in creating her famous scarves!  The time and effort to make enough squares for a scarf, shawl or other large project is a bit overwhelming, but it can be a wonderful take-along and long-term project ;-)

I've designed three squares, utilizing six coordinating colors in different combinations, for a total of nine motifs.  The yarn I chose, Rowan's Siena 4 Ply fingering weight 100% mercerized cotton, is truly wonderful to work with but seems to be getting hard to find (isn't that always the case when you find something you love?!).  Below is the pattern for the first square.  Please come back next week to find out about the two other squares.  I'll also be posting some possible projects using the squares, but in the mean time, I'd love to see what projects you come up with -- please "like" and post on our Facebook page:  www.facebook.com/manycreativegifts, and we've set up a special "Tiny Squares Projects" board on Pinterest as well (with some sneak peeks too!).

Here's Square 1:

With a size D crochet hook and Rowan Siena 4 Ply 100% mercerized cotton yarn in color # 669,

Round 1:  Ch 2, 8 scs in second ch from hook, sl st to top of first sc
Round 2:  Ch 5, 1 dc in same st, [ch 1, 1 dc in next st, ch 1, (1 dc, ch 2, 1 dc) in next st] 3 times, ch 1, 1 dc in next st, ch 1, sl st to third ch of beg ch-5.
Round 3:  Ch 1, [3 scs in ch-2 sp, (1 sc in dc, 1 sc in ch-1 sp) twice, 1 sc in dc] 3 times, 3 scs in ch-2 sp, (1 sc in dc, 1 sc in ch-1 sp) twice, 1 sc in same st as ch 1, sl st to top of first sc, fasten off.

Have a wonderful March discovering or rediscovering your love of crochet!

Welcome 2015!

Go figure that the first half of my last post of 2014 didn't publish...

But we are not looking back, here's to a New Year and a clean slate :-)

So, what do I aspire to accomplish this year?

1)  Blog posts twice a week

One of my action items for this year is to get back onto a blogging schedule of two posts a week (I had been doing that a while back...).  Once a week (probably Tuesdays), I plan on focusing on basic crochet techniques and building to more advanced ones through the year.  What will be different about my posts?  My aim is to "curate" the technique, meaning that I will try to find, in my opinion, the best sources out there on the chosen technique and present them to you all in one place.  There are A LOT of crochet blogs out there now, and I've come across some really good ones.  I want to give credit where it's due and not reinvent the wheel unless I can't find what I think is a definitive, clear presentation of the technique.

The second post each week (probably Fridays), I plan on sharing something along the lines of "learn, make and grow through crochet" by returning to a fundamental objective that I had when I first started this blog -- experiencing crochet in a holistic way through the mind, the body and the spirit.  Recently I was explaining to a non-crocheter that crochet is a lifestyle enhancer in so many ways.  And it conjures up many images doesn't it?  A basket of yarn nestled next to a crocheter, who is stretched out in a favorite sitting area, perhaps with a steaming (or cold) beverage at the ready, working away on a project that is most likely a gift or donation for someone special.  I want to explore how crocheters live "the crochet lifestyle" and the different ways that lifestyle manifests itself.

2)  More communications and interactions

I admit that I am a "stalker" on Facebook and share others' posts without really putting myself out there.  This year I plan on exploring different ways to interact and communicate with crocheters who are seeking the same thing.  Frankly, I'm not sure that Facebook is the best venue for accomplishing this goal, so I'll be exploring different platforms that might work better.

3)  More follow through

You all know that I have the best of intentions, but let's face it, I don't always follow through as I should or in a timely manner.  So, my third goal this coming year is to finish what I start and (try) not get distracted by (too many) bright, shiny objects!

So, once again, I am trying to lay out my plans and aspirations for the upcoming year and hold myself accountable for achieving them (or at least moving closer to achieving them).  I look forward to this journey and hope that you all will join me for the ride :-)

Brand Ideal

I was reading an article on Facebook's upcoming public stock offering. Mark Zuckerberg is quoted as having said "We don't build services to make money; we make money to build better services.... These days, I think more and more people want to use services from companies that believe in something beyond simply maximizing profits." That's a good message to remind yourself about once in a while.

Then, I got an email about the release of a new business book called "Grow: How Ideals Power Growth and Profit at the World's Greatest Companies" by Jim Stengel. I'm also now enrolled in Amanda Aitken's "Girls Guide to Web Design" Jetsetters' class (now you really know why I haven't been blogging lately!). One of the first exercises that Amanda has you do is fill out a three-page questionnaire on how you want your website to look, but it's really so much more than that. Her questions are getting at the heart of what you want your company (and, in some ways, yourself) to look like. 

All of these sources and exercises are getting at the same thing, something that Mr. Stengel has dubbed "brand ideal." What is it that your company, and you, stand for? What are you trying to accomplish (and if your only answer is "making money," try again!)? We all know that any business enterprise is trying to make money, but, these days, it really does have to be about so much more. 

Some describe it as "finding one's passion in life." It's funny, I got rejected by a date way back when because, at the time, I didn't really have a passion I was pursuing. Oh, sure, I enjoyed my job very much, and I enjoyed going to movies, eating out with friends, and so on, but I didn't have a particular activity I was engaged in with the level of passion this guy had with playing the piano. He described how he'd rush home after work in order to be able to play, learn new songs, and spend hours at it. I remember thinking at the time that I couldn't imagine pouring over something with such focus and dedication. Fast forward, and here I am, often spending hours each night working on some aspect of Many Creative Gifts -- the crocheting (and knitting :-) itself, the patterns, the website, the blog, and on and on. And, most importantly, loving every minute of it. You have to -- it's a lot of hard work to achieve that level of focus and dedication, to hone your craft to the point where it's not just a hobby, but frankly is worth sharing with others and, if you so choose, turning it into a potential business.

So, do some hard thinking on this for yourself. We only get 24 hours a day, at least 8 of which I hope you are spending sleeping, so how are you spending your time? Are you spending it on things you enjoy doing? I know that there are things that we all have to do that we don't like doing, but putting all of that aside, what is your passion? And, what are you going to do about it?! If you have a passion and just want to do it for yourself, then that's awesome because there is always the danger of trying to monetize your passion and, instead, losing your love of the activity. But, if you want to turn your passion into a business enterprise, there are a lot of ways to go about doing so, and one of the ways I hope to help you through this blog is by curating some of the resources I've come across that I think have been helpful to me in pursuing my passion. And, Steve, by any chance if you are reading this, I only have one thing to say -- thank you!

Facebook Timeline Page Countdown

So, looks like Facebook is at it again -- all pages are going to convert to the new format on March 30th.  Ugh.  I really like the current page layout and had kind of gotten it looking the way I wanted.  Now, time to go through this all again :-(.

Thankfully, the folks at Smaller Box recently posted an article about how to prepare a new cover image (850 x 315 pixels), a new profile image (180 x 180 pixels), and application icons (111 x 74 pixels) for your new Timeline page.  I'm playing around with the page now and hope to launch it before they force me to, but we'll see...

I feel one of those "need to rethink everything again" feelings coming on.  Probably because I am going through one of those frantic crochet project finishing phases again, while the electronic side of things languishes.  I need an intern (aka free help!).  Mmmm, maybe that's not such a far fetched idea -- I give some young, eager student a chance to show his/her stuff, and s/he gets a project to add to the portfolio.  Anyone know anyone looking for such a challenge?!

Name That Sheep Contest!!

We can name the sheep!  Caroline Owens explained to me that they bought her and a few other ewes from a well -respected West Virginia Coopworth farm when the breeder suddenly needed to downsize.  It happened quickly and during a busy time for the Owens, so they never got around to naming their new acquisitions beyond "the West Virginia ewes".  But Caroline tells me that Coopworth 236 has distinguished herself from the flock in terms of personality and performance and could really use a name.

To catch up those of you who are not (yet) regular followers of my blog ;-) I adopted a sheep recently from the Owens Farm, located in Sunbury, Pennsylvania (you can read more about her and see another picture of her in a previous post).  Shearing time is almost here (January 14th through 18th), and # 236 deserves a name by then.

So, here's the plan.  Please go to the Many Creative Gifts Facebook page by January 5th (midnight EST) and comment on this post by entering the name that you think we should give "Coopworth 236".  After the 5th, Caroline and I will discuss and choose the winning name.  Now, we do reserve the right not to choose any of the names and instead come up with one of our own, but we'd really like your help on this!  As an added incentive, the winner will not only get bragging rights but also a free copy of my "101 Crochet Tips" Kindle book ($9.95 value) and some of the newly named ewe's fleece (priceless!).

She's one of those furry bottoms in the picture where the sheep are getting herded by the dog, but there she is, in the blanket, in the other picture!

It's Only Thursday

What a long week!  But at least it is the home stretch...

Last night was a lot of fun, though made for a long day.  I started a crochet group in my condo building, and we met in the community room from 8 to 10 PM.  We had about 10 people (we even welcomed the knitters ;-).  Everyone brought their projects to show off and work on, and a few of the crocheters said they are interested in doing some charity projects as well.  I'm really excited about that part because I've really been wanting to do something of that nature on a bigger scale for a while now.  I now need to do some research to see what the possibilities are.  At this point, we're planning on meeting just one night a month, but it's a start!

Otherwise, I'm finishing up some hats and mittens for friends and a really cool (if I do say so myself!) car seat blanket for an expecting mom -- pictures and pattern to be posted soon.

So I leave you today with an action item to follow up from last week's post:  you should now have a list of 3 or 4 specific goals you're going to focus on this year.  Now, start planning and writing down your first step towards one of those goals.  For example, I set as one of my goals to get 1000 followers.  Ok, so how am I going to go about accomplishing that?  One manageable step I can take is to go to three forums this weekend and comment on posts of interest to me so that people out there can meet me and start to get to know me, check out my site, and hopefully like what they see and "like" my Facebook page or follow me on Twitter.

Reflections

Ah, it's the day before a new year yet once again.  This one especially seems to have come quickly.  I mean, really, where did 2010 go?!  We were digging out of a Snowpacolypse at about this same time last year, and here in DC, we were on the verge of another one (just dodged it, and our thoughts are with our friends on the Northeast corridor who did not!).

Of course, it's hard not to get reflective during this time of year.  What did I accomplish this past year?  What didn't quite get done?  What am I going to try to do in the upcoming year?  I've been trying to figure this out all this past week while it's been quiet at home and work, and I think I'll share some of my thoughts with you so that, next year, I can come back to this post to double check myself :-)  Also, hopefully, it will help you think this through for yourself and help you set some goals for 2011.

Goal setting does seem to be the first step.  Setting goals is important because you need something to try to achieve and to measure your success by.  And, when I say success, I mean whatever you decide you want it to mean.  It does NOT have to be a money thing (so unfortunate that a lot of people measure success by the amount of money you make) -- it's about what will make you feel like you have taken some steps forward.  You'll want your goal to be something that can be achieved but that will make you stretch a bit.  For example, one of my goals for the upcoming year is to have 1000 followers, either here, on Facebook or Twitter, or through whatever channels followers want to connect with me.  And, I really want to make a connection with people and get feedback from them, so another goal is to actively participate in at least 5 social media/forums (I've been laying back, reading about others, and enjoying the conversations and thoughts, but as they say in NY "you gotta be in it to win it!").  I also want to do a lot more article writing and publishing this coming year, but haven't yet fully nailed down the specifics (that's the other thing -- you need to be specific about your goals, once again so that you can figure out whether you succeeded in accomplishing them).

So, I leave you today with wishes for a Happy and Healthy 2011!!  And start working on your own list of specific goals you want to accomplish in the new year :-)

Dipping In a Toe

So, back to entrepreneurship.  Last post, I was talking about being sure that this is really what you want to do and are committed to do.  Well, I'm going to take a step back here because I think there are some things you can do to test the waters before you really have to commit to anything.  Now, another disclaimer -- I'm talking mainly to creative, artistic types who want to explore whether they can make some $$ from their artwork.  I think many of my basic principles should be applicable to others too, but I don't want to lead anyone astray either.

Let's say you make incredibly beautiful (or at least that's what your mom and friends say) rhinestone widgets.  You've given them as gifts and made some custom order for friends who have been more than happy to reimburse your expenses for materials.  But, will anyone actually buy these things at a retail rate?!  Well, with the internet, it really doesn't cost much to find out!  And, that's what I mean by "dipping in your toe".  Exactly how you ask?!  I'd suggest three basic steps:  1) set up a blog, 2) set up Facebook and Twitter accounts, and 3) list your widgets on Etsy or another one of the crafts selling sites (more on this later).  And, link them all together.  Except for listing fees on Etsy, everything else shouldn't cost you a dime, but should afford you ways to let the world know about your rhinestone widgets and how people can buy them.

The blog should be your hub -- these days, with all of the functionality offered on blogspot and wordpress, it's almost as good as having your own (expensive) website (though, you might want to at least reserve the name you want to use for your potential business, and there's yet another topic for a post!). 

The Facebook and Twitter accounts are a way to make connections to others who can get the word out about your product.  Start with your friends, especially the ones who say they love your work -- well, have them say it out loud to their friends and provide testimonials that you can use on the blog so that potential customers don't have only your word for the greatness of your product.  I'll warn you, at first, you feel like you are shouting into a black hole.  Your updates and tweets are going into an empty forest where they and the falling tree are not heard.  But, amazingly, a wonderful person who is not your mother or already a friend actually responds, "likes", or starts following you.  It is indeed a happy day!

Ah, and yes, exactly where can people go to buy your product?  Etsy is the big kahuna marketplace for all things crafted, but there are others who are trying to establish similar models (small or no listing fee and a cut of the purchase price on the back end.  I'll post more about the pros and cons of such services next time).  Nothing like getting an email telling you that an item has sold and to "ship now".  And, once you get over the shock, you really had better be ready to ship!

Ok, I've given you some tidbits to think about, and I'll be following up with more details and more ideas soon.

For the Love of HTML

I am starting to love html, probably because I am finally figuring it out!  I've now figured out how to upload pdf versions of back issues of the newsletter to the "FTP file publisher" and then make a link from here to there!  They are now available on the left side here and on the "Newsletters" tab on our Facebook fan page.  Whoot whoot!

I can't believe how quickly the weekend has gone by.  So much html, so little time ;-)

Today's Thought:  Follow us on Twitter!  Just search for "PhyllisOfMCG" (I know, a lame thought of the day, but I'm pooped.  I'll make it up to you, I promise).

Facebook Fan Page!

Hoorah!  I managed to get a Many Creative Gifts business fan page up and running.  Unfortunately, it was not due to the $89 webinar that I signed up for, but that was my fault, I should have signed up for the advanced class, go figure!  But, really, not to take away $$ from such webinars, etc., but there are so many free resources on the web -- if you are willing to search around (I typed in "facebook business page") and take the extra time to read through different sites and advice and piece it together, you can do it free.  In a way, I don't regret spending the $89 itself though because that's what made me actually sit down and stick with the fan page until I got it almost the way I want it; I just wish the $$ had gone to the person who actually helped me the most.  Please check out her fabulous site http://www.eleen.com/  She's a crafter, a small business owner, and a helpful techie!

Hee, hee, I guess now I will find out if the link between this blog and the fan page works!  I was told by tech support that, after setting up the link, all future blog posts will automatically go to FB; if I want old posts on there, I need to do it manually.  Cross your fingers!

And, please do become a fan of Many Creative Gifts!!  Just click on the widget that you'll find on the left panel.  Thanks!!

Today's Thought:  Food Rule # 57 -- Don't get your fuel from the same place your car does.  This rule is pretty self-explanatory, but Mr. Pollan does point out that, except for milk and water, everything else in gas station "grocery" stores are highly processed snack foods and over-large soft drinks.  And, frankly, that's where they make there money, not by selling gas!  We avoid this temptation by sticking to our local gas station that just repairs cars and offers car washes, no snacks.

Facebook Follies

So, tomorrow is the webinar that I signed up for that is supposed to teach me how to create a proper Facebook page for MCG.  As much as I am liking FB less and less (I mean, every time I start to get used to their changes, they go and change everything again!), all the small business marketing tips I read say that you've just got to be on Facebook.  Ok, so I will give it a try...

Other than that, it's been a quiet week in terms of getting much done that's worth reporting to you about.  I did purchase all sorts of gluten-free flours today at the organic market down the street, so I'm gearing up to try out some bread experiments.  Mom's vest continues to languish, but this weekend, I can feel a breakthrough coming (at least I'm hoping so!)

Today's Thought:  Buckwheat is not wheat!  Buckwheat groats are actually fruit seeds that are related to rhubarb and sorrel.  They are high in manganese, magnesium, and dietary fiber, which all help with lowering high cholesterol, high blood pressure, and high blood sugars.  More detailed information about the health benefits of buckwheat can be found at http://www.whfoods.com/genpage.php?tname=foodspice&dbid=11

We've Got a Facebook Page!

Ok, so I've finally gotten lured onto Facebook! I have to say, it's pretty cool and easy to load pictures, post events, etc. I'm also creating a link to the blog by getting "verified" (that's what the little widget on the side is all about). Whether this business ever really takes off or not, I really have learned a lot through the process -- website layouts, how to create html widgets, posting and linking -- techie terms are just rolling off my fingers!

Anyway, if you're a member of Facebook, please search out our page, take a look at our photos, leave us a comment, enjoy!

Happy New Year!

Can't believe how time is flying by! Well, like it or not, 2009 is here. Once again, I'm trying to get "things in order" to start off the new year in a serene, stress-free way (yeah, right, that's going to last long). Anyway, so, I'm going through my piles of catalogs -- I can't bear to throw them out before at least flipping through once, so piles is a literal description. Sometimes, I do get ideas for crochet projects or color combinations, or language for product descriptions, etc., so I think of sitting and looking at catalogs as "business time" ;-) I have to say, I came across the funniest exerpt in Wisteria, a catalog of antiques and decorative items for home and garden. The item is a (beautiful) leather and stainless steel chaise lounger (though I think I would prefer a smoother leather than the distressed look of this one). The description starts "Why be a couch potato when you can be a chaise frittata?" Chaise frittata?! Somehow, I don't think that's going to catch on and become a part of the English language lexicon, but it did make me chuckle (and get really hungry!), so I thought I would share!

Ok, that's all I've got for now, but blogging is one of my NYRs, so stay tuned! And, thanks so much to those of you who verified my authorship for Facebook's blog app (the rest of you, get on it!)

Today's Thought: Go Falcons!! The playoff game against the Arizona Cardinals is on at 4 PM EST.